The Republican National Committee overwhelmingly approved rules changes Friday intended to condense the party’s next presidential nominating contest in 2016.

RNC members, gathered in Washington for the committee’s winter meeting, voted 153-9 for a package of rule changes that includes stiffer penalties on any state that tries to leapfrog the four early nominating states by scheduling a primary or caucus before March 1. The new rules also require states to pick their delegates about two weeks earlier, a seemingly small change that when coupled with an earlier national convention could force most states to pick a nominee by late May.

The changes mark an attempt by the RNC to avoid another drawn-out nominating fight like the one the party had in 2012 that left the eventual nominee, Mitt Romney, badly bruised. “We will all have a better process in 2016,” RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said after the vote.

Some of the people who crafted the changes suggest the new rules will lead to regional primaries in which a larger share of states vote on each Tuesday in March and early April. On its face, the changes might make it harder for an under-funded long-shot to compete, but has little obvious impact for any of the top-tier candidates mentioned as prospective White House hopefuls in 2016.

About Washington Wire

Washington Wire is one of the oldest standing features in American journalism. Since the Wire launched on Sept. 20, 1940, the Journal has offered readers an informal look at the capital. Now online, the Wire provides a succession of glimpses at what’s happening behind hot stories and warnings of what to watch for in the days ahead. The Wire is led by Reid J. Epstein, with contributions from the rest of the bureau. Washington Wire now also includes Think Tank, our home for outside analysis from policy and political thinkers.